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Parc des Écrins Tour for Families

Name: Parc des Écrins Tour for Families
Brand: Bookatrekking
Price: 245.00 EUR
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.4 (1611 reviews)

Duration: 4 days

Trails: T2 trails

Distance: 0 - 10 km per day

Ascent per day: 250 - 500 m ascent per day

Overview
Itinerary
What's Included
FAQ

> Explore one of France’s wildest national parks on kid-friendly trails
> Spot waterfalls, wildlife, and glaciers along the way
> Sleep in welcoming huts and a cozy alpine inn

The Family Parc des Écrins Tour is a 4-day hut-to-hut adventure designed for families looking to enjoy the French Alps without technical challenges. This route through the Écrins National Park offers quiet trails, moderate distances, and unforgettable views; perfect for young hikers (aged 8+) and parents alike.

You’ll hike between Refuge des Clots, Refuge du Fay, and Gîte Auberge Chez Baptiste, all family-friendly stops with hearty food and stunning surroundings. Along the way, enjoy alpine meadows, mountain streams, and maybe even spot a chamois or marmot. This is nature, adventure, and bonding time. All in one scenic adventure!

Note: This adventure partly follows the famous GR54 route. It includes most of stage 3, from the northernmost point of the route where the streams of the Rif Tort and Rif Blanc meet near Plateau d'Emparis, and all of stage 4, from the Gîte Auberge Chez Baptiste to Villar d'Arène.

Itinerary

Day

Lac du Chambon - Refuge des Clots

Duration: 03:00 h

Distance: 5.85 km

Ascent: 530 m

Descent: 60 m

From the shores of Lake Chambon's turquoise waters, just below the village of Mizoën, go up the path that zigzags towards the village. The route plunges you immediately into the tranquil landscapes of the Écrins National Park, taking you through wooded areas, open slopes and meadows above the lake.

Follow the path through the larch and pine forest, which overlooks Mizoën and the Chambon dam. Pass traditional stone hamlets such as Les Aymes, continuing along a trail that ascends gradually through a sloping area. Here, the path narrows and cuts the rocky hillside in half. This section is somewhat more exposed, but still safe, requiring a little more attention.

As the landscape becomes greener, passing through tranquil alpine meadows and woods, the Refuge des Clots will come into view. The refuge offers a warm welcome, the chance to explore the surrounding nature and the opportunity to enjoy a hearty dinner while watching the sun set over Lac de Chambon!

Refuge des Clots

Info

Day

Refuge des Clots - Refuge du Fay

Duration: 03:10 h

Distance: 4.75 km

Ascent: 740 m

Descent: 10 m

The second stage begins with a gradual ascent, which levels out further on as you approach Chalets du Fay, where you will be staying tonight. As you climb through alpine pastures and sparse larch forests, the valley opens up to reveal stunning views of the Écrins mountain range.

The higher you go, the more spectacular the scenery becomes. Keep an eye out for grazing chamois and listen to the sound of mountain streams flowing down the slopes, especially the waterfalls from the Riusseau de la Pisse, which you will reach after the first kilometre. Next come impressive views with natural balconies overlooking the peaks of La Meije and Le Râteau, two of the region's most iconic summits.

The final section traverses open meadows, where you can either take a slight detour to the Mouterres Refuge for incredible views or continue on to your hut. The Refuge du Fay is perched above the valley and offers stunning views in all directions. It's the perfect place to relax with a warm drink on the terrace while watching the sunset paint the peaks golden. Now, relax and recharge for tomorrow!

Refuge du Fay

Info

Day

Refuge du Fay - Le Chazelet

Duration: 04:00 h

Distance: 8.85 km

Ascent: 230 m

Descent: 690 m

The trek begins today at the Refuge du Fay, leading you across one of its most scenic sections: the Plateau d’Emparis. The route winds its way through vast, open landscapes, surrounded by towering alpine peaks. Follow the well-marked paths and enjoy the breathtaking views of La Meije and the Deux Alpes glacier in the distance.

The initial section of the trail ascends gently through meadows adorned with wildflowers and small mountain lakes towards the Col du Souchet (2,360 m). This area is one of the highlights of the Les Écrins region, offering endless photo opportunities and tranquil moments in nature. At the Ruisseau de Galan, you can enjoy the sound of the stream in this open, panoramic terrain. After crossing the plateau, the route begins a long, gradual descent towards the La Grave valley via Le Sentier de Mules, arriving at Le Clot Raffin. Here, you can take a short break before reaching your hut.

As you leave the alpine grasslands behind and descend through forests and rocky sections, the scenery changes. You will also cross several torrents, such as the Torrent du Gâ. Finally, the path leads down to Le Chazelet, where you will be staying tonight. Well done! This stage combined the grandeur of high mountain landscapes with the simple joy of arriving in a welcoming Alpine village.

Gîte Auberge Chez Baptiste

Info

Day

Le Chazelet - Villar d'Arene

Duration: 02:45 h

Distance: 6.3 km

Ascent: 330 m

Descent: 460 m

The final stage of the trek is a scenic route through varied terrain towards the traditional mountain village of Villar-d’Arène. The trail initially descends, then goes back up, winding through alpine pastures and alongside crystal-clear mountain streams. The undulating terrain features short climbs and descents, offering an engaging walk that perfectly blends nature and culture.

Shortly after leaving the hamlet behind, you will arrive at Col des Portes (1,730 m), not far from an impressive footbridge suspended in the void. Make sure you take a photo there to capture the panoramic view of the Glacier du Tabuchet. Follow the path past Les Terrasses, through pastures and fields, until you reach La Grave. Here, you can take a break and enjoy dreamlike views of the impressive La Meije massif, one of the most iconic in the Alps.

The landscape softens as you follow a forest walk that crosses the La Romanche river and takes you to Villar-d’Arène. This charming hamlet, with its stone houses and flower-filled balconies, is the perfect place to finish the Écrins Tour. Take time to explore its narrow lanes, have a look around, or enjoy a drink on a sunny terrace. Wasn't that the perfect end to four days of Alpine adventures?

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Included

Full travel guide

You’ll receive access to our trekking app, which serves as your complete digital travel guide for the Tour des Écrins. Inside, you’ll find everything you need for your trek: route descriptions, hiking maps, navigation support, payment information, and all the key details specific to your journey.
Accommodation

During your Tour des Écrins, you will spend your nights in mountain huts. In the mountain huts we normally only book dormitories, but we can look into private rooms on request. If the private rooms are fully booked or not available in the hut, we automatically book a bed in dormitories for you. Please note that private rooms are more expensive and there will be an additional charge for this.
Half-board in Huts

Accommodation at the huts includes dinner and breakfast. We will arrange this for you as well. This allows you to travel lighter and have one less thing to worry about. Bear in mind that lunch is not included, but it can be purchased at the huts. Here you can also buy an array of snacks and bottled water.
Navigation support

Our trekking app also includes built-in navigation support. With GPS-based maps and offline access, you can follow the trail confidently and stay on route even without mobile signal.

Excluded

Traveling to and from

You have to make your own way to the starting point. The total amount does not include personal transport.
Transfers

Should you need any form of (public) transport on location, this is not part of the trekking package. This includes the use of taxi, bus, cable cars, gondolas, ferries, etc.
Lunch

Half-board is included in the price of this trek. Lunch, however, is not. You can get something to eat at the mountain huts along the way.
Travel Insurance

Your international travel insurance is your own responsibility. Discuss your itinerary with the insurance company before your trek.
Personal expenses

Personal expenses on such as souvenirs, drinks, and other similar expenses are for your own account.